Patient experience with a novel patch-like external loop recorder for cardiac arrhythmia detection in India

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is reaching pandemic proportions in India. The effects of CVD are disastrous for the Indian economy as the disease strikes in the prime working ages of the labor force. The great need for therapeutic and diagnostic options combined with pressure on cost containment place emphasis on the development of low cost, credible, point of care diagnostic tools to pinpoint issues in cardiac health for the Indian consumer. A previous study of 125 patients in India examined a novel external loop recorder (ELR) for ambulatory ECG monitoring with high yield and compliance. The current study probes the patient experience, inclusive of patient comfort, ease of use, clarity of the diagnostic report, and value of the ELR. The analysis shows that 85% found this ELR comfortable to wear and deploy, 77% responded with no challenges with the use of this ELR, 60% mentioned they were inclined to seek treatment after this ELR was deployed, and 60% found good value in the device. The results indicate that this particular ELR is a high performing device with excellent patient satisfaction, indicating that the device is a suitable tool for diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmia in India.

Keywords::

• arrhythmia
• diagnosis
• ECG
• ELR
• external loop recorder
• India
• pacemaker
• patient experience

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Paul Ziegler for assistance in the review of this manuscript. Authors acknowledge the assistance of Chidambar Joshi, Murali Srivathsa, John Russell, Saurin Shah, and the HHFA and sales team in contributing to a positive patient experience.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

M Shrivastav and S Padte are employees of Medtronic Inc. N Sinha is a prescriber of the ELR described herein. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Key issues

• This study assesses the patient experience from a 125-patient pilot study using a novel 7-day external loop recorder for cardiac arrhythmia detection in India.

• A positive experience can have a dramatic impact on patient compliance, diagnostic yield and the appropriate care pathway.

• 85% of patients found the external loop recorder very comfortable to wear and deploy. This was mainly attributable to the small form factor, ability to shower with the device and its wireless nature.